ATP Houston: Ben Shelton wins title against Frances Tiafoe
Ben Shelton won the final of the ATP 250 tournament in Houston against Frances Tiafoe 7:5, 4:6, 6:3 and thus celebrated his second title on the ATP Tour.
by Daniel Hofmann
last edit: Apr 07, 2024, 11:37 pm
It was the expected close match that both players offered the audience in Texas. Ultimately, a forehand from Tiafoe that was too long decided the first set, which he missed at the unfavorable score of 5:6 and 30:40. The 21st in the world rankings was able to prevent Ben Shelton's first chance to win a set at 4:5.
Defending champion Frances Tiafoe increased his serve rate in the second set and did not allow a break chance in the entire set. However, Ben Shelton showed a brief weak phase at the beginning of the set and fell behind, which the top seeded player of the tournament could not catch up. The third set therefore decided which American would receive the winner's trophy in front of his home crowd.
Shelton wins second ATP Tour title
The match was decided with a 3-1 win for Ben Shelton, who was immediately on the spot at the first and only opportunity of the last section and kept his concentration high afterwards. After 2 hours and 17 minutes the match was over and the title holder of the only ATP clay court tournament in the USA was found.
For Ben Shelton, it is his second triumph on the ATP Tour and his first at a domestic tournament. Last October, the 21-year-old celebrated his first title at the 500 event in Tokyo after a final victory against Arslan Karatsev. Like Tiafoe, Shelton will not be competing in the Masters in Monte Carlo.
Here is the individual tableau in Houston
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